In this episode of Sober Spill, Isabel speaks with Candace, a licensed therapist, as she shares her story of growing up in a chaotic home shaped by alcoholism, instability, and having to grow up too fast. Raised in a home impacted by alcoholism, Candace struggled with anger, boundaries, and survival at a young age—leading to arrests and life-altering consequences. Candace opens up about the moments that could have defined her life, the people who stepped in when she needed it most, and the turning point that led her to rebuild her life. This episode is direct, honest, and shows how quickly things can shift with the right support. #SoberSpill #SoberSpillPodcast #SoberPodcast #AddictionRecovery #MentalHealthFor more info about our Sober Spill Podcast, check us out at https://www.soberspillpodcast.com/ Custom care for your unique recovery path — discover the Bespoke Program. Visit www.mountainside.com/bespoke-addiction-treatment/ Early recovery can feel more manageable with someone by your side to offer support, whether at home, at events or traveling. Visit www.mountainside.com/treatment/offerings/client-support-services/

In this episode of Sober Spill, Jana speaks with Dr. Leah, a veterinarian specializing in hospice care, as she shares the unseen struggles and mental health crisis inside veterinary medicine. From burnout and grief to substance use and suicide risk, Dr. Leah reveals the behind-the-scenes emotional toll of caring for animals and their families. She also explores how pets can both support and complicate addiction recovery. This episode is honest, intense, and challenges how we think about both caregiving and addiction. #SoberSpill #SoberSpillPodcast #VeterinaryCare #AddictionRecovery #MentalHealthPodcast For more info about our Sober Spill Podcast, check us out at https://www.soberspillpodcast.com/ This is a safe, supportive space for individuals and families to reconnect, communicate more effectively, and begin healing together. Visit www.mountainside.com/treatment/programs/family-services/ Build routine, stay confident in your recovery and maintain peace of mind with our Sober Monitoring program. Visit www.mountainside.com/treatment/offerings/client-support-services/

In this episode of Sober Spill, Isabel sits down with CJ, founder of Dry Humor Bottle Shop, for a candid and emotionally layered conversation on growing up in a family impacted by alcoholism and how that experience shaped her own relationship with drinking. CJ opens up about navigating grief after losing her brother to addiction, the blurred lines of high-functioning alcohol use, and the moment she realized it was time to stop. She also dives into the rise of the sober-curious movement, the power of non-alcoholic alternatives, and why recovery today isn’t one-size-fits-all. If you’re questioning your drinking, exploring sobriety, or interested in modern approaches to recovery, this episode will change how you think about living alcohol-free. #SoberSpill #DryHumorBottleShop #DryHumor #SoberCurious #SoberPodcast #SoberSpillPodcast #Addiction #MentalHealthTo learn more about CJ, check out her website, https://dryhumor-shop.com/ and her Instagram @dry_humorbottle_shopFor more info about our Sober Spill Podcast, check us out at https://www.soberspillpodcast.com/Get connected with a mentor, spiritual guide and support system to help you adjust to a new sober life. Visit https://www.mountainside.com/treatment/programs/recovery-coaching/Stay connected to the community that supports your recovery. Visit https://www.mountainside.com/treatment/offerings/alumni-services/

In this episode of Sober Spill, Jana sits down with Sarah (a licensed mental health counselor and certified rehabilitation counselor at Mountainside) to discuss disability, identity, mental health, and addiction recovery. Sarah shares her experience growing up as a little person and how stigma, bullying, and feeling different shaped her understanding of self-worth and mental health. Jana and Sarah explore the connection between disability and substance use, including how shame, isolation, and lack of representation can impact recovery. This episode offers valuable insight, professional perspective, and a deeper look into the realities of recovery. #SoberSpillPodcast #MentalHealthPodcast #SoberPodcast #DisabilityAwareness #SubstanceAbuse #DisabilityInclusion For more info about our Sober Spill Podcast, check us out at https://www.soberspillpodcast.com/ The alumni team is here to provide support when you are struggling. Visit https://www.mountainside.com/contact/holiday-support This is a safe, supportive space for individuals and families to reconnect, communicate more effectively, and begin healing together. Visit https://www.mountainside.com/treatment/programs/family-services/

In this episode of Sober Spill, Isabel sits down with Erin Khar, author of Strung Out and founder of advice column "Ask Erin", to talk about how addiction can begin long before anyone realizes it. Erin opens up about hiding a $1,000-a-day heroin habit from her family and fiancé, what it was like to overdose with no Narcan, secretly relapse while collecting sobriety milestones, and how harm reduction saved her life before she could save herself. Erin also gets candid about her recent diagnosis and navigating suicidal ideation while raising children. A deeply human conversation about survival, shame, and what recovery really looks like when nobody's watching. #SoberSpillPodcast #MentalHealthPodcast #StrungOut #SoberPodcast #AddictionRecovery #ErinKhar #RecoveryPodcast To learn more about Erin and her book, check out her website, erinkhar.com and her instagram @erinkharFor more info about our Sober Spill Podcast, check us out at https://www.soberspillpodcast.com/Stay connected, stay grounded – explore our support groups at www.mountainside.com/resources/support-groups/ Build routine, stay confident in your recovery and maintain peace of mind with our Sober Monitoring program at www.mountainside.com/treatment/offerings/client-support-services/

In this episode of Sober Spill, Jana Wu sits down with Dr. Nunes, a Columbia-trained psychiatrist with decades on the front lines of addiction medicine, for an intellectually expansive conversation. Dr Nunes breaks down the science of how our brains respond to substances and why some people are wired to become addicted while others aren't – and what the next generation of addiction treatment could look like. If you're a clincian, someone in recovery, or just fascinated by how the brain works, this episode will change the way you think about addiction medicine.#SoberSpillPodcast #MentalHealthPodcast #AddictionMedicine #SoberPodcast #AddictionRecovery #GLP1 #RecoveryPodcastFor more info about our Sober Spill Podcast, check us out at https://www.soberspillpodcast.com/Mountainside is here to help families and loved ones navigate critical moments with clarity and care at https://www.mountainside.com/treatment/offerings/client-support-services/Families heal together – explore our Family Wellness services at https://www.mountainside.com/treatment/offerings/family-wellness/

In this episode of Sober Spill, Jana Wu sits down with filmmakers Jamie and Jason Neese, the creators behind the powerful documentary Kratom: Side Effects May Include. Known for their work on major projects like The Umbrella Academy and Dear White People, the Neese brothers explore the world of addiction and uncover the realities of kratom and how this widely available substance is impacting individuals, families, and communities across the country. The Neese brothers share what they learned from victims’ families, advocates, and insiders. This episode highlights the risks, the controversy, and the urgent need for awareness around substances that are often misunderstood. #SoberSpillPodcast #KratomRecovery #KratomAddiction #SoberPodcast #Addiction Recovery To learn more about Jamie and Jason Neese, or their film work, visit Jason's Instagram @vonngilmore or Jamie's @twinanatorFor more info about our Sober Spill Podcast, check us out at https://www.soberspillpodcast.com/Explore personalized workshops for families seeking guidance and support at https://www.mountainside.com/treatment/programs/family-services/family-foundations-workshop/Early recovery can feel more manageable with someone by your side to offer support, whether at home, at events or traveling at https://www.mountainside.com/treatment/offerings/client-support-services/

What does it feel like to be addicted to something most people have never heard of — and feel too ashamed to even talk about it? In this raw and deeply personal episode of Sober Spill, Jana Wu sits down with Jarred, a kratom recovery advocate who spent eight years addicted to kratom powder. Jarred takes us through taking a "focus supplement" to the years of denial as his body slowly broke down. He shares how a Facebook group, an online recovery meeting, and Mountainside's kratom support community became the lifeline that saved him. Now nearly two years sober from kratom, cannabis, alcohol and more, Jarred is giving back and helping hundreds of others navigate one of the most isolating and misunderstood addictions of our time. This is a conversation about shame, community, resilience, and what real recovery actually looks like. #SoberSpillPodcast #KratomRecovery #KratomAddiction #SoberPodcast #Addiction Recovery For more info about our Sober Spill Podcast, check us out at https://www.soberspillpodcast.com/ Families heal together — explore our Family Wellness services at https://www.mountainside.com/treatment/offerings/family-wellness/ Get connected with a mentor, spiritual guide and support system to hello you adjust to a new sober life at https://www.mountainside.com/treatment/programs/recovery-coaching/

In this episode of Sober Spill, Isabel speaks with the Pietrosimone sisters, Kelly and Jamie, as they share their shocking story of “Operation Big Blow.” The sisters reveal how their lives spiraled experimenting with drugs, opioid addiction, and arrests leading to involvement in a federal drug investigation. Kelly and Jamie reveal the moments they wish they could take back, facing federal charges tied to drugs, and the turning point that led them to rebuild their lives in sobriety and helping others find recovery. This episode is honest, shocking, and proof that the darkest chapters can lead to something powerful.Learn more about the Pietrosimone sisters on Instagram, Kelly @itskellypietro and Jamie @shamone116. For our host, Isabel, follow @stopisabel_For more info about our Sober Spill Podcast, check us out at https://www.soberspillpodcast.com/ Stay connected, stay grounded — explore our support groups at https://www.mountainside.com/resources/support-groups/Mountainside is here to help families and loves ones navigate critical moments with clarity and care at https://www.mountainside.com/treatment/offerings/client-support-services/

In this episode of Sober Spill, Isabel sits down with Justin to talk about how addiction slowly took control even when he thought he was managing it. Justin opens up about what it was like navigating addiction at a young age and the mindset that kept him stuck until the moment he realized he couldn't keep living the same way. This episode explores young people in recovery, relapse risk and rebuilding trust. If you're in your 20s or 30s questioning your relationship with alcohol and drugs, or supporting someone in recovery, Justin’s story offers honesty, clarity, and hope. #SoberSpill #SoberSpillPodcast #AddictionRecovery #TheMaze #Recovery #SobrietyJourney Learn more about Justin and The Maze at https://www.themazenyc.com/ or on Instagram @themazenyc For more info about our Sober Spill Podcast, check us out at https://www.soberspillpodcast.com/ Build routine, stay confident in your recovery and maintain peace of mind with our Sober Monitoring program at https://www.mountainside.com/treatment/offerings/client-support-services/ This is a safe, supportive space for individuals and families to reconnect, communicate more effectively, and begin healing together at https://www.mountainside.com/treatment/programs/family-services/

table {mso-displayed-decimal-separator:"\."; mso-displayed-thousand-separator:"\,";}tr {mso-height-source:auto;}col {mso-width-source:auto;}td {padding-top:1px; padding-right:1px; padding-left:1px; mso-ignore:padding; color:black; font-size:11.0pt; font-weight:400; font-style:normal; text-decoration:none; font-family:Arial, sans-serif; mso-font-charset:0; text-align:general; vertical-align:bottom; border:none; white-space:nowrap; mso-rotate:0;}.xl41 {white-space:normal;}In this episode of Sober Spill, Jana sits down with legendary guitarist Earl Slick (Frank Madeloni) to talk about fame, touring, excess, and the addiction that nearly took everything. Behind the stages and sold-out crowds, there's a side of rock & roll most fans never see. Frank shares the truth about substance use in rock culture and his deeply personal story of addiction, relapse, and long-term sobriety after the moment he realized he couldn't outplay his addiction. Jana and Frank unpack the pressure of performing, masculinity in rock culture, the myth of control and the discipline to maintain recovery. This episode offers a candid conversation and rare insight into addiction in the music industry and why recovery requires humility no matter how famous you are. #SoberSpill #EarlSlick #DavidBowie #80sMusic  #SoberSpillPodcast #Kratom #KratomRecovery Learn more about Frank Madeloni, the famous Earl Slick, here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/748406/guitar-by-earl-slick-with-jeff-slate/9780241371701 https://www.guitarfetish.com/Slick-Guitars_c_496.html For more info about our Sober Spill Podcast, check us out at https://www.soberspillpodcast.com/Healing happens step by step — discover our outpatient options at https://www.mountainside.com/treatment/programs/outpatient-services/ Mission: Recovery— explore our Veteran resources at https://www.mountainside.com/veterans

In this episode of Sober Spill, Isabel sits down with Melissa McGovern (aka The Sober New Yorker) to open up about the gray areas of drinking, pandemic grief, and the doctor's appointment that changed everything. After losing her best friend to alcohol-related illness, Melissa’s own bloodwork revealed dangerously elevated liver enzymes, high cholesterol, rising A1C levels, and a body under stress. No DUI. No public meltdown. Just nightly wine, mental gymnastics around moderation, and a growing sense that something wasn’t right. This conversation explores women and alcohol, midlife drinking culture, moderation myths, sober coaching, and how to know when it’s time to quit — even if you haven’t “hit rock bottom.” If you’re questioning your relationship with alcohol, this episode might be the nudge you need. #SoberSpill #SoberNewYorker #SobrietyPodcast #SoberLife #SoberSpillPodcastTo learn more about Melissa McGovern, visit her website https://thesobernewyorker.com/ or her instagram @thesobernewyorkerFor more info about our Sober Spill Podcast, check us out at https://www.soberspillpodcast.com/Healing happens step by step — discover our outpatient options at https://www.mountainside.com/treatment/programs/outpatient-services/Mission: Recovery— explore our Veteran resources at https://www.mountainside.com/veterans

In this episode of Sober Spill, Isabel is joined by Rachel Hechtman, founder of Sober in Central Park, to dive deep about the emotional journey of letting go of the party girl persona and the "The Rachel Pass Out" to finding five years of freedom in sobriety. Rachel shares her journey as a "sober entrepreneur" and travel host , proving that sobriety is anything but boring. This episode is a must-listen for anyone feeling "stuck" in their identity and wants to live authentically. #SoberSpill #SoberInCentralPark #SobrietyPodcast #SoberLife #SoberSpillPodcast To learn more about Rachet Hechtman, visit her website https://www.soberincentralpark.com/ or her instagram @soberincentralparkFor more info about our Sober Spill Podcast, check us out at https://www.soberspillpodcast.com/ Custom care for your unique recovery path — discover the Bespoke Program at hhttps://www.mountainside.com/bespoke-addiction-treatment/ Stay connected to the community that supports your recovery at https://www.mountainside.com/treatment/offerings/alumni-services/ Families heal together — explore our Family Wellness services at https://www.mountainside.com/treatment/offerings/family-wellness/

In this episode of Sober Spill, Jana is joined by Laura Cathcart Robbins, New York Times Bestselling author of Stash: My Life in Hiding, to pull back the curtain on her harrowing journey through Ambien addiction, high-functioning motherhood, and the "dark in the tunnel". Laura shares the raw reality of being the ""only one in the room"" as a Black woman in recovery and how she finally surrendered the image of the "perfect PTA mom" to save her own life. If you’ve ever felt like your struggle is too unique to be heard, this conversation on race, identity, and radical vulnerability is for you. Discover how Laura transformed her deepest shame into hope for anyone struggling to find their voice. #SoberSpill #AmbienRecovery #SubstanceUseDisorder #LauraCathcartRobbins #AddictionRecoveryTo learn more about Laura Cathcart Robbins, visit her website https://lauracathcartrobbins.com/ or her instagram @lauracathcartrobbinsFor more info about our Sober Spill Podcast, check us out at https://www.soberspillpodcast.com/Healing happens step by step — discover our outpatient options at https://www.mountainside.com/treatment/programs/outpatient-services/Families heal together — explore our Family Wellness services at https://www.mountainside.com/treatment/offerings/family-wellness/Stay connected, stay grounded — explore our support groups at https://www.mountainside.com/resources/support-groups/

In this episode of Sober Spill, Jana is joined by Dr. Lipi Roy, physician and addiction expert, to break down what addiction really is — and why so many people still misunderstand it. Addiction isn't about willpower - Dr. Lipi Roy explains how substance use disorder affects the brain, why shame and punishment don’t work, and what evidence-based recovery actually looks like. This conversation offers a clear, scientific, and compassionate look at addiction for anyone seeking a deeper, more accurate understanding of addiction and healing. Understanding it differently can save lives.  #SoberSpill #AddictionScience #SubstanceUseDisorder #RecoveryEducation #AddictionRecoveryTo learn more about Dr. Lipi Roy, visit her website Sita Med: https://sitamedllc.com/ or her instagram @lipiroymdFor more info about our Sober Spill Podcast, check us out at https://www.soberspillpodcast.com/Healing happens step by step — discover our outpatient options at https://www.mountainside.com/treatment/programs/outpatient-services/Families heal together — explore our Family Wellness services at  https://www.mountainside.com/treatment/offerings/family-wellness/Mission: Recovery— explore our Veteran resources at https://www.mountainside.com/veterans